ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 52ND OF 2025

 Morning all the downside of being off is that I genuinely didn't realise yesterday was Friday, so apologies for the tardiness. 

So Thursday 18 December 2025, myself hubby and my sister went to the local college restaurant for a Christmas meal which was lovely. 

We all had a soup starter served in teacups 

Then I opted for goats cheese tart - which looked like a cake when it arrived

and hubby and sister went for the Ham hock terrine with brioche and caramelised onion relish

We all opted for the turkey main which also came with seasonal vegetables 

then dessert my sister and I had the chocolate cheesecake

and hubby had the Christmas pudding

We had a really lovely night out. 

On the Friday me and hubby went to Nostell, we were hoping our d-in-law could come but Doctor's appointments meant she had to cry off. 

We saw the gingerbread room done out in the theme of Narnia

the beautiful Christmas trees

and the dolls house

Whilst it was lovely I was glad it was part of our membership because it really didn't take very long to walk around it I'm honest. 

Saturday and I'd organised for a few of us girls to come together to make indoors wreaths for the home.  We had a lovely time making the wreaths, me, my sister and niece, my d-in-law and her Mum and we roped said 25 year old and hubby in when the lights proved beyond entertaining.  

We also combined it with a belated baby shower and renamed it a 'Hello Baby' party

Here we are all busy

My niece and my grandson

and one of the finished wreaths

Sunday and we headed to YSP we knew there were three new installations.  

The first on the hillside replaces the Robert Indiana 'LOVE' sculpture which I still miss

The second Helen will know well and has been placed in the chapel, we sat for ages, in fact I could have stayed to watch it all day

Back out in the park we wandered to the other side of the lake to be amongst the trees

We spotted the 'Oak King' and the 'Holly King' flourishing side by side

the holly was so vibrant

then the Camellia house was open for a Damian Hirst piece, very similar to the one that used to reside in Chatsworth but slightly different. 

Then we stopped for a latte and a crumble topped mince pie, we sat outside under the big umbrella and it was joyous. 

Suddenly Christmas was upon us 

My sister wanted some advice on icing a cake, she face timed me and had me in hysterics when neither the marzipan or icing fitted the cake, she ended up going and buying more icing and this cake weighed in at 11lb 2oz when completed (I kid you not), I'll show the subtle screenshot I took as opposed to the sweary fingers one that will eventually make a scrapbook page. 

Then Christmas day was upon us, the table was set for 9 people (although I kept setting a 10th place, hubby said it was for my Mum and I almost kept it). 

A photo of us before everyone descended. 

My d-in-law and grandson, look at that smile

And here she is feeding him in the other room. 

then the Christmas day photos my brother's fiancée, my step-Dad and my sister

The rest of us 

and another photo from when we were all eating lunch

the best Christmas present any of us could ask for

Unfortunately my brother wasn't feeling 100% so him and his other half didn't stay too long and headed off late afternoon, then we had a mass present unwrapping, I sorted puddings and hubby flamed my homemade Christmas pudding 

and then everyone headed home around the 8.30pm mark, it had been a very long day, said 25 year old, d-in-law and grandson stayed as my grandson was due another bottle they were here until around 9.30pm then they headed off and we headed to bed, absolutely shattered but my cup runneth over and I feel immensely grateful for such a wonderful family filled day. 

And that is the week that was. 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 51ST OF 2025

Good morning lovely people tis Friday time for

Well last Friday saw our second trip to Chatsworth, if I'm honest it was definitely touch and go on the Thursday as to whether we actually went, but my d-in-law inspired me to just take hold of each day and enjoy the season so we did. 

We headed off to Chatsworth got there just before our house entry and decided to enjoy the house rather than take photos, in fact we only took this a couple in the house (to prove we had been again). 

The first was a sentiment that someone had left which I loved

the second was a selfie of the two of us

We really enjoyed the second visit embracing all the beautiful things in the house.

Afterwards we enjoyed some food and a cuppa before heading out into the Christmas market.  The sun set and the market really came alive, it was lovely. 

Then we headed back inside for the lights trail around the garden. 

The fairies in the conservatory

the beautifully lit trees

The 'root' lights which I loved

and the gorgeous digital light display on the house

Flora's temple was also lit up and looked beautiful

It was so hard to capture how pretty the trees looked

We didn't get home until late but we didn't mind, plus it meant we didn't get caught in the crazy traffic so win win.  

We had a quiet weekend tootling doing a few jobs, getting final gifts sorted, wrapping a few presents and some reading. 

Soon it was Monday and back to work, but a short week of just Monday and Tuesday and achieved all I'd set out to do which was good.  Found a glitch at the last minute, so came home started with fresh eyes and a calmer mind and resolved within a short space of time. 

Wednesday was my first official day off work, we were very busy.  First thing I sorted a wreath design for a family get together this weekend, it had been playing on my mind and I've spent a fortune on 'bits' to make it but I'm fairly happy with the finished design and hope everyone enjoys it. 

Then me and hubby spent the afternoon cutting and then putting marzipan and icing on the cakes.  We are definite amateurs on this but were pleased once we had completed it, albeit that it took all afternoon. 

Then I started to do a 12 days of Christmas, I don't know why but at the moment, we have very little booked into our diary for the time I'm off.  This isn't necessarily going out and 'doing' things but embracing the season, I'll let you know how I get on with it.  What do you do over the festive break?  

Thursday we went to the cinema to see Fackham Hall a typical British farce which we thoroughly enjoyed, lighthearted good humoured and just what we needed. 

And finally my lovely daughter-in-law has now announced officially the birth of our grandson back in September.  Her post on Facebook made me very emotional and she has given me permission to share photos, so be prepared for this becoming a regular feature. 

There are soooooooooo many photos of him but this is by far my favourite so far, he just looks so happy and content and definitely as though he knows something we don't. 

I hope you've had a wonderful week.

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 50TH OF 2025

 Good morning, our 50th Friday of 2025 and I spend time clocking the silver linings and precious moments of the last 7 days. 

First up last Friday we headed to Sheffield as we had tickets to the opening show of Aladdin at the Lyceum.  

Our first port of call was at the Cathedral as they had a Christmas tree festival on and were showing a new Pete McKee artwork called the Nativity 

We loved the trees, when we first saw this festival they used artificial trees, it was so much better with real trees

I loved some of the decorations that were on the trees

This one was my favourite with the organza ribbon enhancing the snowman all the way down the tree. 

the new artwork was at the end of the Cathedral and there is plenty of merchandise to help raise essential funds for the charitable work they do.  

then we were off to the panto

and Damian Williams as the Dame was magnificent once again! 

we were hoping to walk the artwork around town, but the weather was appalling so only managed to grab a couple of shots of the cathedral whilst we waited for a tram. 

Saturday we popped to a local Christmas fayre which wasn't great, we had met up with said 25 year old, my d-in-law and grandson, given how poor it was we invited them back to ours for a cuppa and some pancakes, an offer they couldn't refuse and we had a delightful afternoon chatting catching up and spending precious time with my family - nothing finer - I am most very blessed and they are very very loved. 

Sunday and we headed to my nieces for a get together which was lovely, it had been her fiancé's birthday midweek and so she decided to have a get together to celebrate on Sunday.  We sat had some food, chatted, drank tea and sang happy birthday. 

Monday and we headed to Hardwick Hall for all things 'The Lord of Misrule' we grabbed a selfie outside

There was a story trail to follow and poetry (my favourite)

the story continued inside and the story was about how The Lord of Misrule had upset the Holly King so he had turned the house 'icy' this was the entrance hall

the white theme followed us through the house 

until the story unfolded and the Holly King forgave the Lord of Misrule. 

Here is the yule log decorated with the red ribbons

Hubby dressed as the Holly King with his Lord of Misrule t-shirt

He also enjoyed playing with the shadow puppets

and then the chapel looked fabulous with the coloured roof. 

It was a thoroughly lovely trip to Hardwick that we enjoyed.

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked (although I left early on Wednesday due to excess TOIL).

Then on Thursday we had a 'tootling around the house' day, also known as the never ending to do list.  Although I've declared that there is an end, also known as 'not making another list' until after the New Year. 

My sister popped over for a few hours and my d-in-law and Grandson followed and finally our son. 

It was a lovely afternoon nattering and chatting, me and my sister are struggle to find our Christmas spirit (we think it might be due to us missing my Mum), thankfully our daughter-in-law is absolutely full of it so it was infectious to spend time with her.  

I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family.

I hope you've had a grand week

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 49TH OF 2025

 Good morning lovely people tis Friday time for

this is my moment to take stock and reflect on the last 7 days for the positive moments and silver linings that have happened. 

Last Friday we travelled to up to Sheffield for a walk around the Christmas markets.  Hubby and I travelled on the tram and when we got there is was torrential rain, my footwear turned out to be completely unsuitable but more to the point my waterproof rain jacket started to fail.  We headed to the millennium galleries as an area that was at least dry and I attempted to dry off my coat using a hand dryer which improved things a little.  We were meeting up with said 25 year old his lovely wife and our grandson, they were travelling by car and thankfully by the time they arrived the weather had backed off and we were able to browse the market without pouring rain. 

My d-in-law treated me to a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, it was a lovely wintery treat even if it was very naughty. 

We walked all the way to the bottom of the Moor and then wandered back up, hubby treated us to our tea from the German sausage vendor which was lovely, we all enjoyed it and were mighty full afterwards.

I managed to grab this shot of the three of them, their first proper Christmas outing.  It was a joy to spend time with them and my grandson was as good as gold, they had timed the feeds well. 

On Saturday they came over again and despite the rain we walked around to the local church for the Christmas tree festival, I have never seen so many people make a bee-line for a baby before and my d-in-law had to explain his age and adjusted age when you consider that he is premature, it made my heart sing to see so many people making such a fuss of them all.  

Here is a lovely shot of the inside of the church, each of the real trees are decorated by local groups and they are sponsored by local businesses. 

This was our favourite tree this year, decorated by a local charity. 

We had a restful day on Sunday and then I was back into work on Monday.

I did however take a break at lunchtime for a physio appointment, which fingers crossed is going to help my poorly feet. 

On Tuesday I was in the office, I asked a couple of my colleagues if they could identify a few of the things in the kitchen that needed sorting, I only wanted their verbal input but they helped me give it a good fettle and between us we had it looking spic and span, I didn't take a before photo, but let's just say the after photo is a marked improvement.  

Wednesday evening after I'd finished work we headed to Sheffield for our first Christmas theatre trip.  This time to see A Christmas Carol, it was very good and definitely gave us a little of the Christmas spirit. 

Whilst we were walking around Sheffield we came across this light installation on Graves gallery, work by Pete McKee, it was fabulous to watch, I'm hoping to see the other two in Sheffield before they finish. 

Thursday and we had a tootling sorting things in the house day, I had a lengthy to do list, hubby painted a wall in the porch, I made some very specific cards for some events coming up, I caught up with my journal, me and hubby did a tag team in the kitchen making various meals for the next few days and my sister popped over for a catch up which was lovely, she is genuinely struggling at the moment so it was good to catch up.  

She came bearing gifts, a bunch of flowers and a colour co-ordinated book which I'm very much looking forward to reading, I was so surprised and very grateful to her for such a thoughtful gift at this time of year.  She is a star. 

And that my lovely people is my lot this week, I hope you've had a grand week too. 

Hugs